Born in Baltimore and raised on Division Street, he attended Booker T. Washington Junior High School. As a young man, he played sandlot football and boxed at gyms in the Pennsylvania Avenue neighborhood.

He served in the Army from 1951 to 1953, and was assigned to Korea and fought in an infantry unit. Family members said he suffered a hearing injury because of the proximity to loud explosions. He received an honorable discharge "with distinction," family members said.

After the war, he opened a candy, tobacco and shoeshine shop on Pennsylvania Avenue near the old Carver Theater. He later joined Donohue Construction and was a concrete finisher and laborer for 30 years until his retirement.

Mr. Tate enjoyed cooking and doing handyman landscape projects around his home. He also enjoyed watching football and boxing matches. Family members said he often wore sunglasses and a fishing cap.

Services will he held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Phillips Funeral Home, 1721 N. Monroe St.

Survivors include a son, Michael L. Tate of Walkersville; three daughters, Annette Tate of Baltimore, Lisa Tate of Essex and Rhonda Miller of Baltimore; a stepson, Eugene Johnson of Baltimore; two stepdaughters, Vonzella Johnson of Baltimore and Valerie Muldrow of Seattle; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.